Hail To The King: A Look Back at Every Damn Stephen King Feature Film Adaptation

After the adaptation of long-awaited The Dark Tower landing with a thud, we still have the chilling remake of Stephen King’s It arriving to cineplexes in just a few weeks.

This one-two punch from the Master of Horror has every blogger in town pulling together lists of all sorts counting down the best, the worst, the scariest, the goriest and the weirdest of King’s adaptations.

In truth, King’s work can be very hit or miss, and those are are hits, are very much a matter of opinion as to which is the best. Can the genius of Stanley Kubrick compare with Brian De Palma’s masterful camerawork in a Shining vs. Carrie showdown? Is 1408 really better that The Green Mile? (Hint: Yeah, it’s not. I’m looking at you, Vulture.)

But in all honesty, it all depends on the reader and that person’s relationship to the material. It’s really not for anyone else to say.

So, rather than squabble on the internet the merits of the cocaine-fuel joyride that is Maximum Overdrive, let’s just take a look back at all the full-length feature film adaptations of Kings work, trailer by trailer.

(To keep my sanity, this list will not include made-for-TV movies, miniseries, sequels to movies that were not originally King novels, anything written exclusively for the screen or any of King’s Dollar Babies.)

Carrie (1976)
Tagline:Take Carrie to the prom. I dare you!Director: Brian De PalmaStarring: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, William Katt, John Travolta, Nancy AllenSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: The character of Margaret White was based on a woman King once worked with.

Creepshow (1982)(NOTE: Two of the stories, Weeds and The Crate, are based on King stories. The others were written for the screen.)Tagline: The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have… BEING SCARED!Director: George A. RomeroStarring: Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Leslie Nielsen, Ed Harris, Ted Danson, Stephen KingSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: In “The Lonesome Death Of Jordy Verrill,” you can spot a sign post that points to the infamous Castle Rock and to King’s hometown of Portland.

Cujo (1983)Tagline:Unleash the terror.Director: Lewis TeagueStarring: Dee Wallace, Danny Pintauro, five big friggin’ dogsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Former alcoholic King admitted that he has no memory of writing Cujo

The Dead Zone (1983)Tagline:He can see the future. But can he escape it?Director: David CronenbergStarring: Christopher Walken, Tom Skerritt, Martin Sheen, Brooke AdamsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Helmer Cronenberg originally filmed a scene in which Walken’s Johnny suffers a head injury while ice-skating as a young boy, showing the origins of his powers.

Christine (1983)Tagline:Hell hath no Fury…like a 1958 Plymouth.Director: John CarpenterStarring: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Harry Dean Stanton, Alexandra PaulSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Kevin Bacon was offered the lead role of Arnie, but opted to star in Footloose.

Children of the Corn (1984)Tagline:And a child shall lead them…Director: Fritz KierschStarring: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton, a bunch of creepy, ass kidsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: The story originally appeared in King’s short story collection Night Shift, which appears in the film on the dashboard of Vicki and Burt’s car in the beginning of the film.

Firestarter (1984)Tagline:She has the power . . . an evil destructive force.Director: Mark L. LesterStarring: Drew Barrymore, David Keith, Martin Sheen, George C. ScottSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Barrymore beat out Jennifer Connelly for the role of Charlie.

Cat’s Eye (1985)(NOTE: Only “Quitters, Inc.“ and “The Ledge,“ both from Night Shift, are adapted from King stories. The third segment was written for the screen.)Tagline: Follow the newest cat-and-creature game as played throughDirector: Lewis TeagueStarring: Drew Barrymore, James Woods, Robert Hays, probably several catsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: In the movie, James Woods watches The Dead Zone and makes the snide remark, “Who writes this crap?”

Silver Bullet (1985)Based on the novella:Cycle of the WerewolfTagline:Part human. Part wolf. Total terror.Director: Daniel AttiasStarring: Corey Haim, Megan Follows, Gary Busey, Everett McGillSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Steven Segal killed both Busey and McGill in the Under Siege franchise.

Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Based on the short story “Trucks”Tagline:Stephen King’s masterpiece of terror directed by the master himself.Director: Stephen KingStarring: Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, Yeardley SmithSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: During the time of filming, King’s body was actually 80% cocaine. Including his clothes.

Stand by Me (1986)
Based on the novella The BodyTagline:For some, it’s the last real taste of innocence, and the first real taste of life. But for everyone, it’s the time that memories are made of.Director: Rob ReinerStarring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer SutherlandSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: To get into the character of bully Ace, Kiefer Sutherland often picked on Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell. Also, Kiefer Sutherland is a dick.

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Creepshow 2 (1987)(NOTE: Only “The Raft” from Skeleton Crew is an adapted King story. The other two were written specifically for the film)Tagline:3 bloodcurdling tales of horror!Director: Michael GornickStarring: Tom Savini, George KennedySmall, Random Bit of Trivia: In “The Raft”, one of the characters is wearing a shirt from ‘Horlicks University’, the same university stenciled on the crate from the original Creepshow.

Graveyard Shift (1990)Tagline:Stephen King took you to the edge with The Shining and Pet Sematary. This time……he pushes you over.Director: Ralph S. SingletonStarring: Brad Dourif, David Andrews, David AndrewsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: The name of the mill in the pic is Bachman Mills, which is a clever little shout out to King’s pseudonym

Misery (1990)Tagline:Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now, he’s writing to stay alive.Director: Rob ReinerStarring: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, a sledgehammerSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: The only Stephen King adaptation to win an Oscar…so far.

The Lawnmower Man (1992)NOTE: This is not King’s short story. New Line owned the rights to King’s original short story, but just used the title and the author’s name on this lesser, shitty sci-fi script an a desperate money-grab. King was none-to-pleased about the turn of events and sued the studio. Successfully.Tagline:God made him simple. Science made him a god.Director: James GonisStarring: Andy Clark, Helen Hanft, E.D. PhillipsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Story features Big Brother-esque baddies The Shop, the outfit from Firestarter.

The Dark Half (1993)Tagline:Serious writer or serial killer? George is in two minds.Director: George A. RomeroStarring: Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker, Julie HarrisSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Release was delayed for two years due to the bankruptcy of Orion Pictures

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)Tagline:Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.Director: Frank DarabontStarring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Clancy Brown, Bob GuntonSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Helmer Darabont was once one of King’s Dollar Babies with his adaptation of “The Woman in the Room” in 1979.

The Mangler (1995)Tagline:Escape is not an option.Director: Tobe HooperStarring: Robert EnglundSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Despite a dismal box office, it’s got two sequels.

Dolores Claiborne (1995)Tagline:They were separated by a death…and reunited by a murder.Director: Taylor HackfordStarring: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer, David Strathairn, John C. ReillySmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Kathy Bates has stated that this is her favorite performance

Thinner (1996)Tagline:More terror. Less fillingDirector: Tom HollandStarring: Robert John Burke, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda JenneySmall, Random Bit of Trivia: During filming, King gave Burke one note on how to play Billy: “Eat.”

The Night Flier (1997)Tagline:Never believe what you publish…Never publish what you believe.Director: Mark PaviaStarring: Miguel FerrerSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Reporter Richard Dees also appears in The Dead Zone.

The Green Mile (1999)Tagline: This is a story about a miracle where I work… The Green Mile.Director: Frank DarabontStarring: Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, David Morse, Sam Rockwell, Harry Dean StantonSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: On the DVD, Stephen King stated that this film with the single most faithful adaptation of his work yet.

Hearts in Atlantis (2001)Tagline:What if one of life’s great mysteries moved in upstairs?Director: Scott HicksStarring: Anthony Hopkins, Anton Yelchin, Hope Davis, David MorseSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Hope Davis and Anton Yelchin (RIP) also play mother and son in the movie Charlie Bartlett

Dreamcatcher (2003)Tagline:Catch The Nightmare.Director: Lawrence KasdanStarring: Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, Tom SizemoreSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Stephen King wrote the novel while recovering from a near-fatal accident in which he was hit by a van while walking.

Secret Window (2004)Tagline:Some windows should never be opened.Director: David KoeppStarring: Johnny Depp, Maria Bello, John Turturro, Timothy HuttonSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Movie’s debut was moved up to cash in on the success of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Carrie (2013)Tagline:Know her name. Fear her power.Director: Kimberly PeirceStarring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne MooreSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: First time the character of Carrie White was played by an actual teenager.

A Good Marriage (2014)Tagline:Two can keep a secret, if one of them is dead.Director: Peter AskinStarring: Joan Allen, Anthony LaPagliaSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: King’s first self-adapted screenplay since Pet Sematary.

Mercy (2014)Director: Peter CornwellStarring: Frances O’Connor, Dylan McDermott, Mark Duplass, Shirley Knight, Chandler RiggsSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: R L Flag Home for the Aged is a reference to Randall Flagg, an often used big bad from King work (The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon)

Cell (2016)Tagline:When everyone is connected no one is safeDirector: Tod WilliamsStarring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Stacy KeachSmall, Random Bit of Trivia: Movie travels with a curse. Anyone who attempt to program it for a festival or market it will never be heard of again. True story.

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